[Takeoff #3] On the Way to the Science Fair

[Article, Video] - Published on June 22, 2022 in Major Programs, Development

Xavier Garric is a researcher at the Max Mousseron Institute of Biomolecules and co-founder of the startup Womed, which is developing an intrauterine medical device to treat infertility. To devote more time to his company, he is receiving a research grant. He discusses this in the video series“Décollage,” produced by the University of Montpellier’s Department of Innovation and Partnerships (DIPA).

Founded in 2018 in Montpellier and winner of the I-Lab Grand Prize, the startup Womed has developed a highly innovative medical device: a polymer film that repairs the uterine lining and helps combat the risk of mechanical infertility in women. The result of a collaboration between the Department of Artificial Biopolymers (IBMM) and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Nîmes University Hospital, this project went through the Satt AxLR maturation program until the industrial development of its prototype.

Xavier Garric was able to count on the DIPA’s support not only in negotiating and finalizing all the contracts but also for its scientific expertise.Thisarrangement“allows me to dedicate part of my academic time to providing scientific consulting services for this company ,” explains the researcher, who uses this video to offer two pieces of advice: “Don’t be afraid of the unknown, because when you embark on a startup project, there are plenty of things you don’t understand, so you just have to go for it.” Second,“communicate and explain your research project in layman’s terms to all DIPA staff members, so you can show them the project’s ultimate goal and make them feel involved—because it’s a race against the clock!”

Keywords: Takeoff, Innovation, Research